Eldridge: GeorgiaForward already moving state ahead

Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010

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Recently, leaders from across Georgia gathered at Macon State College to discuss our state's future. Ironically, the GeorgiaForward meeting was convened by Central Atlanta Progress, which is known for its success in improving downtown Atlanta. I was fortunate enough to be invited and attend the conference with Brian Brodrick from Jackson-Spalding and Davis Knox with Fire & Flavor.

First, kudos to CAP for recognizing a tremendous challenge to our state and taking the time to do something about it.

The day was filled with insights. There was a collection of more than 250 people from all areas of the state and all walks of life, each coming at challenging questions and topics with a different perspective.

Aside from the good and timely information that came from the various speakers and panels, the most important and biggest issue on the minds of the group was not education, jobs, transportation, water or public safety, as important as they were - it was leadership. Simple, raw leadership. The desire, willingness and courage to do what is right, regardless of the political consequences.

The unanimity with which the group spoke was deafening, and perhaps speaks to the idea that with strong leadership, Georgians believe all of our challenges are conquerable. The history of our state shows that this is true. This spirit hearkens back to some of our past leaders with names like Nunn, Russell, Vinson, Miller, Murphy, Vandiver, Coverdell and Sanders, who did not hesitate to do what was right rather than playing politics on crucial issues.

Here in Athens, we see many of the state's best and brightest each year. We welcome future leaders at the University of Georgia. We help nurture them for four years and send them back to do great things in Georgia communities and across the nation. Let's not wait for these graduates to have gray hair before we address our challenges.

The fact is, people of all political persuasions and background are tired of political haranguing and jockeying around issues along strict party lines. Georgians are ready to get serious about moving our state forward, about doing what is right for our children, our environment and our economy. Georgians are demanding someone to lead us forward and not allow us to bog down in political rhetoric, and who will not be cowed by the challenges that face us. The time for those leaders to emerge is now, and failure along these lines is not an option.